Romulea is a genus in the Iridaceae family of about 90 species that is found both in South Africa and in Europe. Rootstock is a corm, globose, bell shaped to top shaped, compressed or asymmetric with a circular to crescent shaped basal ridge. This genus has flowers reminiscent of Crocus. Many are quite striking, especially the South African species and there is a great variation in colour and markings of the flowers. They are easy to grow in pots and many are easy from seed, flowering rather quickly in some cases.

Romulea hirta is a South African endemic species from the Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces where it is found on damp dolerite and clay flats in the mountains. It grows from 5cm to 20cm tall with ciliate leaves. During spring it bears yellow flowers. Vernacular names include Froetang and Knikker.